Like humans, cats have to make the best of the hand that they are dealt with. This boy, like most feral cats, was dealt a tough hand. He survived in a feral cat colony for nine years. He was being fed by a nice person in his backyard. But he was feral and it is tough living outside. He picked up an infection and he was already FIV positive.
He had a bad sinus infection. He had pink eye too (conjunctivitis) as far as I can tell. He had a bacterial infection and it was making him miserable.
He looks sad actually even after he was so expertly and lovingly treated with TLC and antibiotics. He was cleaned up: his matts have been removed and so have his fleas. But he still looks oh so sad.
You know even in the last photogragh, he has that look on his face which you only see on cats who are not feeling well. He may be in a lot of discomfort in fact. I would at least consider euthanising him, which must sound harsh but he looks in pain to me and very sad. What I am saying is that he may have been in long term pain, we don’t know. The look on his face indicates that and the look is not because he is in a cage in my opinion.
The person who was feeding him, trapped him and took him to the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association, VOKRA. They treated him very nicely and rather than putting him back into the urban jungle they took him to Katie’s Place Rescue Shelter where he can live with other FIV+ cats. That’s nice. He’s come out of the cold of the harsh world of feral cats into a more emotionally warm environment. About time.
He looks a bit old too. I hate seeing sad cats. I hope he’ll smile one day soon. His name is Tuffy.
Source: He Was Feeding His Cats When A Feral Cat Showed Up…..
Yes, I agree with you that it could be his facial expression. I just have a strong feeling on this occasion that he is in chronic discomfort. I have nothing really to base that feeling on other than his expression and his health. I have seen an expression like that before in cats and I’m convinced it is a sign of chronic discomfort. That said, I could be wrong but when I write an article I have to go with my feelings and instincts and trust them.
Michael, I think that Tuffy’s facial expression is possibly genetic, making him “look” as if he is in pain, as someone else noted. If he is eating, drinking, and functioning, that is a good sign. Before ever considering euthanizing, he should receive labwork and other tests to rule out causes of pain. Tuffy deserves a chance at a better life. Now that he is with Katie’s Place Rescue, this will give him that chance. Respectfully, this is my view.
I love him too Frances but perhaps he is in pain. The trouble is we don’t know except by his demeanor and expression. I wonder if the vets did a proper check up to cover all possibilities. He just looks ill to me. Thanks for commenting.
Tuffy looks extremely tired and worn out, making it much harder for his poor body to handle his injuries, infections, and whatever health conditions he has. I think that Katie’s Place Rescue Shelter is a very good place if he remains feral in his tendencies. But if he shows some responce to affection, a loving home, one where he may be the only cat, could be a better fit. Either way, I believe he needs to rest and recuperate.I would definitely not euthanize him. As he is functional, he deserves a chance to regain his strength and feel content once again. Tuffy is a special soul. I love him. Every life matters.
I am entitled to my views. I see a cat in long-term disomfort. That’s what I see. I am not the person you think I am, believe me. I’d run a fantastic shelter. I am strongly a no-kill person but…sometimes euthanasia is the right thing. That said I am not saying for sure that euthanasia is the right thing here. I am just flagging up the thought.
You’ve got to be kidding me!!! You’d euthanize him because he *looks* like he’s uncomfortable???? He’s in a steel cage in a shelter. Of COURSE he looks like he’s uncomfortable! I’m sorry, because I don’t mean to be rude to sensitive people, but I’m glad that the author is not running a shelter. Especially this one.
I see this cat and I see miserable because he’s in a cage in a shelter. Post pictures of him in a foster or an adoptive owner’s home. I’m certain we’ll all see a completely different cat. Myself, I want to hug and cuddle and love on him until that sadness dissipates.
Nine years in a feral colony, without knowing where he was before that.
He’s a survivor.
He’s lucky.
He probably got FIV from defending himself.
Dear God. He looks old. He looks sad. Let’s MURDER HIM BECAUSE WE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE LOOKING AT HIM LOOKING SAD IN A CAGE!!!!
Do you even HEAR yourself?!? I’m flabbergasted. I’ve reread your article several times, hoping I’ve read it wrong.
Do not run an animal shelter because it would end up being an animal euthanizing center. Shelters are supposed to shelter. Not kill because they look sad or because the cat is old. My eldest cat is frail and 19 and she has beginning stages of kidney disease. She eats like a pig and is my lovely old lady cat. 9 or 12 is not old. 19 or 20 is old.
Wow. Just…wow. smh.